Leadership & Legislation A New Generation Steps Forward in Congress:

Hon. Franc W. Perry, Congressman Mondaire Jones and Congressman Ritchie Torres

Richard Failla Commission
Speakers:
Co-Chair Hon. Troy K. Webber
Former Commission Co-Chair Hon. Shirley Troutman
Co-Chair Justice Joanne M. Winslow
Hon. Franc W. Perry
Congressman Mondaire Jones
Congressman Ritchie Torres

A new generation of diverse, trailblazing public servants joined forces during a June 2021 joint interview to affirm the need to promote equal participation and access throughout the court system by all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The program was a joint interview, led by New York State Supreme Court Justice Franc Perry, with Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), America’s First Black and Afro-Latino Gay Congressmen.

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission jointly sponsored the program, Leadership & Legislation: A New Generation Steps Forward in Congress. Commissioner Co-Chair Hon. Troy K. Webber and Former Co-Chair Hon. Shirley Troutman opened the program with welcome messages.

Co-Chair Justice Joanne M. Winslow of The Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission also expressed her excitement for the conversation with the Congressmen and mentioned the inspiration that Rep. Mondaire Jones and Rep. Ritchie Torres have introduced to the new generation. Throughout the conversation, both Congressmen discussed the hardships faced when running for Congress, why they are motivated to advocate for diversity, and how their humble beginnings have shaped them to become humble servants of our nation. They noted how their open sexual orientation as men of color has driven them to fight for equity and affirmation for LGBTQ+ minorities. Judge Franc Perry also shared the struggles he faced as a candidate for Judicial appointment.

Leadership and Legislation Program Recording

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